Construction will soon begin to upgrade the Dunedoo Sewage Treatment Plant, delivering modern new infrastructure that will serve the community for years to come while providing greater protection for the environment.
The $3.4 million project, funded by the New South Wales Government and Warrumbungle Shire Council, will be implemented in stages over the next three years. The New South Wales Government is investing almost $2.6 million in the project.
“This will help Warrumbungle Shire Council overhaul the sewage treatment plant in Dunedoo so it can support the town now and into the future,” New South Wales Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water’s (DCCEEW) Director – Infrastructure Development, Lisa Hingerty, said. “We know the existing facility is no longer meeting contemporary environmental standards, so it’s great to see this project gaining momentum with shovels in the ground for the first stage of work.”
The first cab off the rank is an upgrade to the ageing facility’s maturation pond. The pond disinfects effluent from the main treatment unit before safely discharging it back into the environment. The upgrade will ensure wastewater is treated to a much higher standard in order to meet modern environmental safety guidelines.
“Sewage treatment is an essential service, and partnering with the New South Wales Government means we can strike the right balance between supporting the community and better protecting the environment,” Warrumbungle Shire Council Mayor, Ambrose Doolan, said. “Upgrading the plant will ensure our treatment processes are up to scratch and working more efficiently, benefiting our 1,200 residents and waterways.”
The project also includes upgrades to treatment and sludge management systems, a new aeration unit, improvements to automation to make the plant easier to monitor and control remotely, new amenities and electrical work, and a better access road.
The current plant was built in 1970 and has passed its design life. It is struggling to meet Environmental Protection Agency guidelines, with several breaches being recorded over the past nine years.
Addressing these wastewater risks has been a major priority for the New South Wales Government and local council. Work will commence shortly, and the full upgrade is expected to be completed by the end of 2026.
The New South Wales Government’s Safe and Secure Water program provided $1.7 million for the project’s planning and development stage, with a further $868,000 for construction from the Restart New South Wales Water Security for Regions Program. Warrumbungle Shire Council is funding the rest of the build.
The Safe and Secure Water Program supports over $1 billion worth of projects across the state, with more than 260 in various stages of delivery.
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